In January 2009, magazine Editor (Michael) and a Marketing Consultant (Phil) abandoned both London and their former careers to move to the West Berkshire countryside where they purchased 40 acres of land with the aim of farming rare breeds. These now include: Dexter cattle, Berkshire pigs, Wiltshire Horn sheep and West of England Geese. The building of their modern farmhouse and transition into farmers was made into a program for the UK Channel 4 TV Grand Design series.

Michael and Phil established their Two Cocks Brewery in October 2011 after finding hops in the hedgerows. Their farm lies on the site of a Civil War Roundhead encampment of the First Battle of Newbury, hence the names of their beers.